President's Club and 21 Age Rule
Dec 22, 2009, 9:44 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: BOS
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President's Club and 21 Age Rule
So as a young UA GS, I took my first flight on CO today and it was wonderful.
That being said, I was denied access to the President's Club (SQ PPS gets access) because I am not 21 and was travelling alone, with no one to supervise my consumption of free alcohol (at 7:00 AM). One agent said that this is NJ law. Is this a general CO policy or a one time occurrence at EWR?
Does CO have self-serve liquor at its PC's or is it from a bartender (who could check ID's)? I have always been granted access to UA's IFL's in the US which have self-serve alcohol with no problem. So I'm wondering why it is a CO policy.
That being said, I was denied access to the President's Club (SQ PPS gets access) because I am not 21 and was travelling alone, with no one to supervise my consumption of free alcohol (at 7:00 AM). One agent said that this is NJ law. Is this a general CO policy or a one time occurrence at EWR?
Does CO have self-serve liquor at its PC's or is it from a bartender (who could check ID's)? I have always been granted access to UA's IFL's in the US which have self-serve alcohol with no problem. So I'm wondering why it is a CO policy.
Dec 22, 2009, 9:57 pm
#2
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I don't know about the law aspect, but is certainly CO policy, as stated here:
All alcohol (and drinks in general other than coffee and water) are served by the bartender at the bar. As to why, it's probably to lessen CO's liability, but I don't know for sure.
Originally Posted by CO.Com
Presidents Club Membership Rules
To provide you with maximum comfort and enjoyment of the clubroom facilities, we ask your cooperation in observing the following rules:
* Upon entrance, please present your valid membership card and a government issued photo ID (such as a driver's license, passport or military ID) to the representative.
* You may bring members of your immediate family (spouse and children under the age of 21) or as many as two guests.
* You must accompany your family and guests while they visit the clubroom.
* Membership cards are not transferable and may not be loaned to others.
* The cost of your membership is non-refundable.
* Conference rooms are available for $35.00 per hour at most clubroom locations. Reservations for conference rooms must be made in advance through a clubroom representative. We will hold your room for 30 minutes after the reserved time.
* You must be at least 21 years of age to qualify for membership.
* As a courtesy to other guests, we ask that your dress and conduct are consistent with a professional business environment.
* No cigarette, pipe or cigar smoking is allowed in clubrooms.
* Food may not be brought into the clubrooms. (Complimentary light snacks are available in each clubroom.)
* Airport carts are not permitted in the clubrooms.
* Quiet pets in carry-on kennels are welcome in most clubrooms.
* As a courtesy to other guests, please use headphones when playing personal devices such as video games and DVD players.
* Continental reserves the right to restrict, alter or modify the fees, benefits, services and clubroom locations at any time with or without written notice to its members.
* Continental reserves the right to revoke membership privileges of those who fail to comply with the above guidelines and/or disrupt other members.
To provide you with maximum comfort and enjoyment of the clubroom facilities, we ask your cooperation in observing the following rules:
* Upon entrance, please present your valid membership card and a government issued photo ID (such as a driver's license, passport or military ID) to the representative.
* You may bring members of your immediate family (spouse and children under the age of 21) or as many as two guests.
* You must accompany your family and guests while they visit the clubroom.
* Membership cards are not transferable and may not be loaned to others.
* The cost of your membership is non-refundable.
* Conference rooms are available for $35.00 per hour at most clubroom locations. Reservations for conference rooms must be made in advance through a clubroom representative. We will hold your room for 30 minutes after the reserved time.
* You must be at least 21 years of age to qualify for membership.
* As a courtesy to other guests, we ask that your dress and conduct are consistent with a professional business environment.
* No cigarette, pipe or cigar smoking is allowed in clubrooms.
* Food may not be brought into the clubrooms. (Complimentary light snacks are available in each clubroom.)
* Airport carts are not permitted in the clubrooms.
* Quiet pets in carry-on kennels are welcome in most clubrooms.
* As a courtesy to other guests, please use headphones when playing personal devices such as video games and DVD players.
* Continental reserves the right to restrict, alter or modify the fees, benefits, services and clubroom locations at any time with or without written notice to its members.
* Continental reserves the right to revoke membership privileges of those who fail to comply with the above guidelines and/or disrupt other members.
Dec 22, 2009, 10:47 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Not really...
That policy states that 21 is the minimum age for membership, not admission. OP was not looking to become a member, just to use the facility as a *G entitlement.
New Jersey law restricts purchase/consumption of alcohol to those 21 and over, but 18 year olds can serve it in licensed establishments. There are plenty of clubs that have an 18 to enter, 21 to drink policy.
New Jersey law restricts purchase/consumption of alcohol to those 21 and over, but 18 year olds can serve it in licensed establishments. There are plenty of clubs that have an 18 to enter, 21 to drink policy.
Dec 22, 2009, 11:33 pm
#4
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I've been carded in CLE, but never EWR.
Wonder if the 21 and over had to do with the NW WCs that had self serve liqour.
Wonder if the 21 and over had to do with the NW WCs that had self serve liqour.
Dec 22, 2009, 11:59 pm
#5
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If that's the way the CO rep explained it, then it sounds as though one who is under 21, and would normally have PC access (BF, *G...) would be allowed into the club, provided they have or get someone over 21 to enter with them. Is my understanding correct? I sure hope so because I'm flying BF out of EWR on 12/28, and I'm under 21, but would love to access to PC!
Dec 23, 2009, 12:18 am
#6
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It's my understanding that the unsupervised age-21 requirement is a uniform policy across all President's clubs, and it's designed to be compliant with the various laws on admission of minors to a place where alcohol is served; these laws vary from state to state, so what is permissible in one state may be forbidden in another. Children may be admitted with a parent or traveling companion, but you have to be 21 to enter on your own.
Correct me if I'm wrong, please, because I'm working from memory here.
Correct me if I'm wrong, please, because I'm working from memory here.
Dec 23, 2009, 5:27 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DCA
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21 years old is the standard PC rule and is utterly ridiculous. If security hadn't been so long in DFW, the other day, I probably would have pulled someone "off of the street" who was 21+ to be my sponsor for my same day BF ticket. It seems that CO would rather have more people come into the club who do not belong than have the bartenders just card.
Dec 23, 2009, 5:57 am
#8
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Just out of sheer curiosity, why is it that the only people who complain about this are those who are under 21? And once they turn 21, they no longer complain? 
Dec 23, 2009, 7:01 am
#9
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On another note, I work at a college and notice this all the time. The binge drinkers really calm down a bit and grades improve once they get over that 21 hump.
Dec 23, 2009, 7:44 am
#10
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Posts: 3,681
This rule really needs to change. All of the other major US airlines are 18 years of age, why can't CO have that rule too?
Dec 23, 2009, 7:58 am
#11
Join Date: May 2003
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Ok, I am more than 2 1/2 times 21 and I will complain. My 16 y/o son flies by himself from time to time. I would get him a plat amex card to get into the PC if he could actually get in. He has been flying since he was 3 weeks old and knows how to act in a club. So count two of us 21+ers as people who would like to see the age lowered.
Dec 23, 2009, 8:42 am
#12
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: EWR
Posts: 318
The is one exception to the 21 rule.
If a minor is traveling on an international BUSINESSFIRST ticket they can have use of the PC. This is because the price of PC admission is included in the ticket price. International First (IAH-CUN) does not qualify. When said minor enters the club he/she needs to be escorted to the bar and introduced as a minor to the bar staff.
Dec 23, 2009, 8:59 am
#13
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If you are under 21 and otherwise eligible for access you might be able to make a new friend in the airport who could "supervise" you in the lounge. (Although if you are very young you should be careful of being too friendly to strangers). If I were king of the world, my rule would be to not discriminate based on age but based on behavior. We've all seen people over 21 acting like they are three.
Dec 23, 2009, 9:00 am
#14
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If a minor is traveling on an international BUSINESSFIRST ticket they can have use of the PC. This is because the price of PC admission is included in the ticket price. International First (IAH-CUN) does not qualify. When said minor enters the club he/she needs to be escorted to the bar and introduced as a minor to the bar staff.
Dec 23, 2009, 9:18 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: EWR
Posts: 318
No it's not new. There has been some confusion over International First and BusinessFirst which are separate products with different benefits.
BTW the customer that holds the credential to enter the clubroom must be 21. Getting an "escort" from the terminal or even a family member for that matter does not work.
BTW the customer that holds the credential to enter the clubroom must be 21. Getting an "escort" from the terminal or even a family member for that matter does not work.